Dioscorea villosa is a species of a twining tuberous vine that is native to eastern North America commonly known as wild yam, colic root, rheumatism root, devil`s bones, and fourleaf yam. In traditional Russian herbal medicine, saponin extracts from the roots of various varieties of wild yam are thought to be an anticoagulant, antisclerotic, antispasmodic, cholagogue, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic and a vasodilator. Wild yam is currently being studied for its anti-inflammatory effect and its ability to improve signs of skin aging and other skin conditions.